Solent Group work with a diverse portfolio of Retailers and supply bespoke products within various categories, including Health & Beauty, Household Impulse Snacking and Reusable Bags. We are proud to be best-in-class when it comes to own-label product innovation. Our Categories are fast-paced with ever-evolving trends and a host of ground-breaking products coming to market on a regular basis – we add value to retailers by leading and owning each category.
Here at Solent we want people to be extraordinary. We pride ourselves on creating and producing amazing products and brands for our Global Customers. You will be joining a company with offices globally across South Africa, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vietnam, and the UK.
POSITION: Product Manager
DIVISION/DEPT: Product
REPORT TO: Senior Product Manager
LOCATION: Christchurch (Minimum 1 day a week in the office)
TRAVEL: Travel to European manufacturers, trade shows & customer meetings
The Opportunity - Product Manager - Foods
We have an exciting new role in our Product Development team in the food division. This role focuses on supporting the foods team in all aspects of product development, from ideation, recipe development, production trials and through to launch. You will develop new and existing relationships with the manufacturing partners and retail customers, and have a passion for research and staying ahead of trends.
In addition, you will have excellent communication skills as you will be UK & EU supplier facing and manage internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
* Management of all samples; reviewing/tasting, posting to customers /suppliers
* Lead tasting and benchmarking sessions internally and for our customers
* Keep up to date with trend and insights, incorporating into presentations and feeding back to the team; frequently visiting our retailers
* Responsible for completing the project work in line with the NPD pipeline
* Manage the product development from concept stage to finished goods including briefing our suppliers, reviewing quote sheets, sample submission forms to customers, assisting factory trials, reviewing samples, quality contracts etc.
About You
* Food manufacturing knowledge, knowledge of regulations / HFSS
* Project management across multiple SKU’s and categories
* Excited about working within a dynamic and fast-paced team
* Strong supplier relationships with a commercial mindset
* Trade Show and supplier visit experience
**Please note: This role involves regular tasting/handling of food products, including dairy, nuts and other allergens. Please consider this when applying if you have severe food allergies.
What we offer
* Competitive salary with annual salary reviews
* 25 days holiday per annum, increasing to 27 days after 3 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
* Extensive benefits programme including buying additional holiday, medical cash plan, access to mental health support and many other benefits
* Flexible hours and work-from-home available to all staff
* Great learning and development and progression opportunities
* Yearly bonus structure (based on company targets)
* Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
* Pension Scheme Contribution
* Solent social events run by our inhouse Social Team
* Cycle to Work scheme
Please visit us at https://solentgroup.co.uk/work-with-us/ for further details.
At Solent Group, we celebrate diversity and promote equality and inclusion across our global teams. We welcome applications from all, regardless of personal characteristics or background.